The scientific exhibition centre at Sterkfontein Caves showcases early life forms, mammals and hominid fossils, a reconstruction of a mined cave, a pristine cave, cave formations and geology, information about fossilisation, palaeobotany and landscapes.

The Sterkfontein caves form part of the Cradle of Humankind, and was named a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The Cradle of Humankind area is over 47,000 hectares in size, west of Gauteng Province of South Africa. The land is still privately owned, and is home to over 17,000 people.

The lifelike hominid models (mannequins) in the exhibition have all been created by John Gurche, the World-acclaimed and award-winning palaeoartist who also worked on the Jurassic Park film.

Welcome to Africa, AKA the motherland! Check out African Internet Radio while you're scoping the panoramas.The earliest fossil of the homo sapiens family (human beings) was found in Ethiopia, dating back more than 200,000 years. Compared to this length of time, even the "ancient Sumerians" from 6000 B.C. are drooling toddlers.Let's mention a few African heroes you may have heard of, for inspiration in the face of the continued economic inequality and violence which plague Africa today: Nelson Mandela, first democratically elected President of South Africa, who fought against apartheid and served 27 years in prison while advocating freedom and peace. Haile Salassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, who resisted Mussolini and the fascist Italian invasion of WWII, and who is worshipped as an incarnation of God by the Rastafari movement. Kwame Nkrumah, first Prime Minister of Ghana, advocate of uniting Africa in Pan-Africanism. Fela Kuti, inventor of Afrobeat music, who declared his home to be an independent state, ran for president of Nigeria, and to whose funeral ONE MILLION PEOPLE came to pay their respects.In June 2001 the African Union was formed, consisting of 53 African States organized, like in the EU, around common economic and political development.Text by Steve Smith.

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